Madam Halimatu Nuhu, Brong Ahafo Regional Director of Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), has expressed concern about the increase in child non-maintenance cases in the Region. Last year, the directorate recorded 3,405 cases, out of which 1,185 were child right related, economic and social rights 850, property rights 617, civil rights 94, administrative justice 98 and corruption seven. Speaking to Ghana News Agency, she said child non-maintenance cases outnumbered all other cases recorded at the office every year. Madam Nuhu noted that mostly women and children reported cases of irresponsible behaviour of their husbands and fathers. “It is only in few cases where school children come to report about their mothers,” she added. She advised parents, especially men, not to neglect their responsibilities to their children but ensured that they always cared for them. Madam Nuhu said about 1,863 cases were settled, 184 cases were still pending before the courts, 58 were withdrawn by the petitioners and 14 were rejected for lack of jurisdiction. She said non-cooperation of especially law enforcement agencies was a major challenge to the Commission, noting that obtaining information from them sometimes delayed settlement of cases. Madam Nuhu urged the public to respect the rights of others in order not get themselves into trouble, since abusing and disrespecting someone’s rights was a crime. She said efforts would be made to intensify its educational programme this year, particularly in rural communities “where many people are ignorant of human rights issues”. Source: GNA